Solar Bears Slip On Ice, 4-1

February 24, 1996|By Tim Turner of The Sentinel Staff

Entering their game against Indianapolis Friday night, the Orlando Solar Bears had the best power-play percentage in the International Hockey League. Expect that percentage to take a nose dive as the Solar Bears went 0-for-9 on their power play, and gave up two power-play goals in a 4-1 loss before 11,155 at Orlando Arena.

The Solar Bears, whose winning streak ended at two, dropped to 0-3-1 in their past four games at the O-rena. But Orlando (36-15-6) maintained its three-point lead over Cleveland in the Central Division as the Lumberjacks lost to San Francisco in a shootout, 3-2.

Orlando continued its struggles at Orlando Arena, falling to Indianapolis.

That the Solar Bears have lately become something of the anti-Magic at the O-rena is disturbing to coach Curt Fraser.

''On the road, we play tougher, we battle more,'' Fraser said. ''We come home and seem to get comfortable. Like being here gives us an edge. We've got to play more like we do on the road. In our last four games we've gotten away from that.''

Orlando struggled from the opening faceoff. It had three power-play chances go for naught in the first period as they failed to mount any threat. That would set the tone for the night.

''Indianapolis is a big, strong team,'' Fraser said. ''And when you play a team like that, your special teams have to be working. We had some open shots but we just were not clicking. And we gave up two (power-play goals). When we get on the power play, we have got to bury it.''

Indianapolis opened the scoring on a fluke first-period goal. Ethan Moreau's slap shot from the blue line was deflected into the net off the stick of Orlando goalie Allan Bester, who made his first start at home since returning from the Dallas Stars.

Orlando blew four power-play chances in the second period. In fact, the fourth power play was cut short when Pat Neaton was whistled for holding.

That gave Indianapolis a power play for 1:32 and they took advantage of it on Danton Cole's 30th goal of the season for a 2-0 lead at 17:52.

Orlando's frustrations boiled over with 37 seconds remaining in the second period when a four-play brawl cost them Kerry Clark for the night with a game misconduct.

The Ice would open the third period on a power play and made it 3-0 at 3:01 on Cole's blast by Bester's glove side.